A family friend yesterday labelled Friday’s incident “frightening” and said the injured officer was still undergoing tests in hospital.

She sustained a head injury which has given her concussion and memory loss.”

Family friend

“She’s still in hospital, waiting for the results of an MRI scan,” she said. “She sustained a head injury which has given her concussion and memory loss. The bruises have gone down, but there’s still a lump on her head.

“They think the injuries might have come from her head hitting the ground. She has bad concussion and memory loss. She’s getting better but she’s still not 100 per cent – she’s still forgetting little bits and pieces.”

She added: “It’s frightening. This is the second attack on police in as many weeks.”

It is believed the female officer and her male colleague were responding to a call about a man shouting in the street at 1.30am on Friday when the attack happened.

Witnesses said the two officers tried to calm the man down but were instead subjected to a barrage of abuse – with the thug turning violent after they attempted to arrest him.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that an on-duty officer was injured while trying to carry out an arrest in Whyte Place in the early hours of Friday, September 11. The officer was taken to hospital for treatment. A 45-year-old man has been charged with assault following this incident.”

The attack has provoked shock among community figures, with Giacomo Modica, chair of Craigentinny/Meadowbank Community Council, describing it as “very surprising”.

Former police officer and Tory councillor Cameron Rose said courts needed to take a “strong line” when dealing with assaults on officers.

He added: “Police management also need to ensure that there is appropriate support arranged for officers attending such calls.”

Earlier this month, additional police patrols were put in place in Portobello after two officers were attacked by a gang outside the local police station.

The officers had rushed outside to the aid of a young girl after hearing “distressed” cries.

Two boys – aged 14 and 15 – were arrested and charged in connection with the assault, with a 51-year-old man also arrested following the shock revelation that he had joined in with the vicious assault while walking past.